보고 싶었어
The English phrase "I missed you" can be translated into Korean as 보고 싶었어.
In Korean, this phrase is used both to express the emotional feeling of missing someone and the literal desire to see them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 보고 싶었어 is literally composed of 보다 (to see), -고 싶다 (to want to) and the past tense marker, meaning "I wanted to see [you]".
Which one should you use?
While 보고 싶었어 is in the past tense (I missed you), 보고 싶어 is in the present tense (I miss you).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -요 to the end makes the phrase polite and suitable for someone you are not on intimate terms with.
Did you know?
- While 보고 싶었어 expresses a desire to see someone, the word 그립다 is used for a longing that cannot be satisfied simply by meeting, such as missing a deceased relative or a lost childhood home.
- The term 보고 is a homonym for a Sino-Korean word meaning 'report' or 'information'.
- The phrase 보고 싶었어 is quite intimate and is almost exclusively used between close friends, lovers, or towards those younger than the speaker.
Examples in context
- 오랜만이네요, 이 교수님. 보고 싶었습니다.Long time no see, Professor Lee. I missed you very much.
- 야 지현이! 너랑 마지막으로 얘기한 게 정말 오래 됐어. 보고 싶었어, 친구야!Hey Ji-hyun! It's been ages since we last hung out. I missed you, buddy!
- 정말 보고 싶었어.jeongmal bogo sipeosseo.I really missed you.
- 너 너무 보고 싶었어.neo neomu bogo sipeosseo.I missed you so much.
- 어제 진짜 보고 싶었어.eoje jinjja bogo sipeosseo.I really missed you yesterday.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon meet at a cafe after a long time.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연아, 진짜 보고 싶었어.Seoyeon-a, jinjja bogo sipeosseo.Seoyeon, I really missed you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon나도 도현이가 너무 보고 싶었어.Nado Dohyun-i-ga neomu bogo sipeosseo.I missed you so much too, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon우리 이제 자주 보자.Uri ije jaju boja.Let's see each other often now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 그러자.Geurae, geureoja.Okay, let's do that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보고, CC BY-SA 4.0.
